Peugeot e-208 51 kWh

Overview

The Peugeot e-208 51 kWh was a cracking electric supermini, bringing French flair and improved electric guts to the competitive city EV scene. For its 2023 model year run, this particular trim really upped its game with better range and pep. It’s a looker, drives well, and while now discontinued (production ended in 2023), you can snag one on the used market in Europe for around €19,990. It’s a stylish, compact choice for zipping around town, packing a decent punch for its size and offering a more polished EV experience.

What's New for 2023?

The big news for the 2023 e-208, specifically this 51 kWh version, was the powertrain upgrade borrowed from its bigger Stellantis siblings. It featured a more potent and efficient 115 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, a step up from earlier iterations. Paired with the 51 kWh nominal battery (yielding 48.1 kWh usable), this meant a welcome boost in real-world range to 338 km and a bit more oomph under your right foot. This refresh, introduced in 2022, kept the e-208 sharp against rivals in the bustling European small EV market through 2023.

Design & Exterior

The e-208 51 kWh is a proper head-turner, rocking Peugeot's aggressive design language. You get those distinctive "lion claw" LED daytime running lights up front and matching three-claw rear lights, making it instantly recognisable. This trim often featured a body-coloured chequered grille and sleek alloy wheels, typically 16 or 17-inch depending on the specific spec level. Dimension-wise, it’s perfectly city-sized at 4055 mm long, 1765 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1430 mm tall. It’s a chic little hatchback that certainly stands out from the crowd with its sporty, modern aesthetic.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the e-208 51 kWh and you’re greeted by Peugeot's funky i-Cockpit. This means a dinky steering wheel you look *over* to see the (often 3D) digital instruments, plus a central touchscreen, typically 7 or 10 inches, handling infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Material quality is pretty plush for a supermini. It seats five, though rear legroom is best for kids or shorter trips. Boot space is a practical 265 litres, expanding to a useful 1106 litres with the rear seats folded down. Unfortunately, there’s no frunk for stashing charging cables.

Performance & Driving Experience

This e-208 51 kWh is surprisingly nippy! With its 115 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor pumping out 260 Nm of torque to the front wheels, it zips from 0-100 km/h in a sprightly 8.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 150 km/h. It’s great fun to pilot around town, feeling agile and responsive. The ride is generally comfortable, soaking up most bumps well. You get a couple of driving modes and a 'B' mode for enhanced regenerative braking, helping to eke out extra range. It’s a smooth and quiet operator.

Range, Battery & Charging

The e-208 51 kWh packs a 48.1 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of 338 km – a solid figure for daily duties. Its efficiency is rated at an impressive 7.03 km/kWh. For charging, it hooks up via a CCS Type 2 port. Standard AC charging is at 7.4 kW (a full top-up takes around 7.5 hours), with an 11 kW optional on-board charger cutting that to about 5 hours. Find a DC fast charger, and it’ll slurp up juice at up to 100 kW, hitting 20-80% in roughly 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The Peugeot e-208 scored a respectable 4 stars in Euro NCAP safety tests. This 51 kWh version came equipped with a decent suite of safety kit. Standard features across the range typically included Active Safety Brake (AEB), lane keeping assist, speed limit recognition, and driver attention alert. Depending on the specific trim level paired with this powertrain, you could often find or option advanced systems like adaptive cruise control with stop & go, active lane positioning assist, and blind-spot monitoring, enhancing its safety credentials significantly for a compact car.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

In Europe, Peugeot typically backs the e-208 with a 2-year unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty, often extended by national importers or specific offers, sometimes to 3 years or 100,000 km. The crucial high-voltage battery warranty is more robust, generally covering 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. Powertrain components fall under the main vehicle warranty. Maintenance needs are minimal, focusing on tyres, brakes, and cabin filters. Overall reliability for Peugeot’s electric offerings is considered competitive within the European market.